In the classic approach, a fighter gets to a title shot by working through their progressions, facing some other legitimate contenders before working their way to a shot at the title.
It doesn’t quite work like in contemporary boxing.
With sometimes at least four major sanctioning body belts around, getting to a title shot before any real danger occurs is fairly common. It might even be the smart way to go. Consolidation brings the old ways back to the fore.
At welterweight, there are only two men holding belts right now and to get a shot at Errol Spence or Terence Crawford, and soon just the winner of that fight, will mean standing out.
Earning it.
We’ve got a clash of legitimate contenders trying to do just that on Saturday night (Showtime, 9 PM EST)
Let’s get into it.
Stats and Stakes
Jaron Ennis
Age: 26
Current Titles/Previous Titles: None
Height: 5’10
Weight: 145 ½ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Record: 30-0, 27 KO
Press Rankings: #3 (Ring, BoxRec), #4 (TBRB, ESPN)
Record in Major Title Fights: N/A
Last Five Opponents: 109-9-4 (.910)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Sergey Lipinets KO6
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: N/A
Vs.
Roiman Villa
Age: 30
Current Titles/Previous Titles: None
Height: 5’7
Weight: 146 ½ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Rosario, Venezuela
Record: 26-1, 24 KO
Press Rankings: #7 (TBRB), #9 (Ring), #10 (ESPN)
Record in Major Title Fights: N/A
Last Five Opponents: 93-12-4 (.872)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Rashidi Ellis MD12
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: N/A
The Pick: Villa arrives at this moment by way of a huge second half comeback against undefeated Rashidi Ellis in his last fight. Down on the cards with one round to go, Villa scored two knockdowns in the final round to eke out the win. He may need similar magic here against an even more ready foe.
Ellis is as blue chip as any title hopeful in the sport according to many observers. He’s got good speed, feet, power, and a frame that suggests middleweight sooner than later. While the official line on both men has Ennis taller, the weigh-in suggests Villa will actually be the taller man. He will also be the slower one. The gap in speed and punching accuracy in this fight should be wide and Ennis has a main event stage to work on. Villa is tough and carries heavy hands but he won’t land enough of them for that to matter. The pick is Ennis by wide decision or late stoppage.
Rold Picks 2023: 21-6
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com